February 10, 2014 •
Proposed Amendment in Michigan Would Create a Part-time Legislature
A statewide petition to amend the Michigan Constitution was approved by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers last week. The proposed amendment would institute a part-time state Legislature and limit legislative sessions to 60 days, lawmaker salaries to $35,000, and […]
A statewide petition to amend the Michigan Constitution was approved by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers last week. The proposed amendment would institute a part-time state Legislature and limit legislative sessions to 60 days, lawmaker salaries to $35,000, and total legislative staffers to 250.
The committee seeking the amendment must collect at least 322,609 signatures in order to get the amendment on the ballot in November.
February 5, 2014 •
MA Legislature Closed Today Due to Weather
Due to severe winter weather the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate will be closed on Wednesday, February 5. Both the House and Senate will resume normal business hours on Thursday, February 6, 2014.
Due to severe winter weather the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate will be closed on Wednesday, February 5. Both the House and Senate will resume normal business hours on Thursday, February 6, 2014.
February 5, 2014 •
NH Governor Hassan’s State of the State Speech Postponed
New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan’s State of the State speech, originally scheduled for Wednesday, February 5, has been postponed until Thursday afternoon due to the area’s frigid snowstorm. The House of Representatives will also not meet today because of the […]
New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan’s State of the State speech, originally scheduled for Wednesday, February 5, has been postponed until Thursday afternoon due to the area’s frigid snowstorm. The House of Representatives will also not meet today because of the winter weather. According to NHPR, Senate committee hearings scheduled for Wednesday morning will proceed. Hassan’s speech has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 6.
February 5, 2014 •
Rhode Island Legislature Closed Today Because of Winter Weather
The Rhode Island House of Representatives and Senate have cancelled scheduled floor sessions and committee hearings for Wednesday, February 5, due to the winter snowstorm. A scheduled 3 p.m. news conference concerning legislation dealing with the Department of Health certificate […]
The Rhode Island House of Representatives and Senate have cancelled scheduled floor sessions and committee hearings for Wednesday, February 5, due to the winter snowstorm. A scheduled 3 p.m. news conference concerning legislation dealing with the Department of Health certificate of need process has been postponed to 3 p.m. Thursday, February 6.
January 27, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Lobbyist Spending Scaled Back 12 Percent In 2013” by Eric Brown in International Business Times. “Lobbyists Take a Financial Hit With Do-Nothing Congress” by Eric Pianin in the Financial Times. “Lobby firms sweep up new clients” by Megan R. […]
Lobbying
“Lobbyist Spending Scaled Back 12 Percent In 2013” by Eric Brown in International Business Times.
“Lobbyists Take a Financial Hit With Do-Nothing Congress” by Eric Pianin in the Financial Times.
“Lobby firms sweep up new clients” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“The revolving door between Congress and K Street is moving faster than ever” by Chris Cilizza in The Washington Post.
Canada: “Strahl quits as federal spy watchdog, calls lobbying allegations ‘spurious’” by Jim Bronskill in the Global Post.
Kansas: “Washington Senate Bill Prohibits Political Contributions While Legislature is Out of Session” by Ben Unglesbee in the Lawrence Journal-World.
Minnesota: “New coalition lobbying for more transportation dollars” by Mike Rose in Finance & Commerce.
Campaign Finance
California: “Lobbyist Accused in Campaign Finance Scandal to Appear in Court” by Candice Nguyen and R. Stickney in NBC 7 San Diego News.
California: “Roundtable: Campaign Finance Scandal, PACs In Mayor’s Race, Draining Lake Morena” by Pat Finn and Alison St John on KPBS Public Broadcasting.
Colorado: “10th Circuit Overturns Disparate Contribution Limits in Colorado Campaign Law” by Matt Arnold in the Examiner.
Missouri: “Missouri wide open on political throttle; campaign finance, lobbying reforms build momentum in Jefferson City” by Eli Yokley in The Joplin Globe.
Montana: “Commissioner calls to remove state rep from office for campaign violations; files more complaints” by Mike Dennison in the Billings Gazette.
Nevada: “Secretary of state candidates urge tougher laws addressing gifts to officials” by Andrew Doughman in the Las Vegas Sun.
New York: “Dinesh D’Souza indicted on charges of violating election law” by Sarah Pulliam Bailey in The Washington Post.
New York: “Look up who is giving money to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s campaign war chest and how he is spending it” by Steve Billmeyer in The Post-Standard.
Utah: “Utah lawmakers rake in cash before Legislature begins” by Robert Gehrke in The Salt Lake Tribune.
Ethics
“It Only Seems That Political Corruption Is Rampant” by Michael Wines in The New York Times.
Alabama: “Courtland woman appointed to state ethics commission” on WAAY TV News.
Florida: “Fresen’s case before Ethics Commission” in the Florida Current.
Kentucky: “Senate bill would give subpoena power to county gov’t” on WHAS 11 News.
Massachusetts: “State House Ethics Committee given power to take witnesses into custody, laying groundwork for possible expulsion of Rep. Carlos Henriquez” by Matt Murphy in MassLive.com.
New York: “Good-government group calls JCOPE a ʹblack boxʹ” by Jimmy Vielkind in Capital New York.
Virginia: “McDonnells plead not guilty to corruption charges” by Jim Nolan and Olympia Meola in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
From the State Legislatures
California: “Number of women dropping in California Legislature” by Don Thompson in the Orange County Register.
Iowa: “Does Iowa have too few lawyers in Legislature?” by Jason Noble in the Des Moines Register.
Michigan: “Committee to ʹrestore Michigan’s part-time Legislatureʹ submits proposed ballot language” by Jonathan Oosting in Michigan Live.
Missouri: “Mo. lawmakers to begin floor debate this week” by The Associated Press in the News Tribune.
Ohio: “State constitution panel has ʹhobbling startʹ” by Jim Siegel in the Columbus Dispatch.
Redistricting
Arizona: “GOP effort to void Independent Redistricting Commission continues” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Star.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Agencies ‘open the door’ to innovative uses of social media” by Shefali Kapadia in Federal News Radio.
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January 15, 2014 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Lobbying World” in The Hill. “How do people become lobbyists? Ask USA TODAY” by George Hager in USA Today. “K Street’s Ogilvy adds firepower on taxes” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill. Arizona: “Lobbyist pleads guilty to misdemeanor” by […]
Lobbying
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
“How do people become lobbyists? Ask USA TODAY” by George Hager in USA Today.
“K Street’s Ogilvy adds firepower on taxes” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Arizona: “Lobbyist pleads guilty to misdemeanor” by The Associated Press in the Casa Grande Dispatch.
Campaign Finance
“Schock donor tied to campaign finance case” by Catherine Skiba in the Chicago Tribune.
“Super PAC Boom Marginalizes Women, Report Says” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
“Super PAC, Outside Spending Chiefs Make Big Bucks” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
Delaware: “Veasey, task force to discuss campaign finance reform in Delaware” by Jonathan Starkey in The News Journal.
Mississippi: “Incomplete campaign-finance reports accepted in Mississippi” by Anita Lee in the Sun Herald.
New Mexico: “Poll: Big money in politics equals serious problem” by Thomas Cole in the Albuquerque Journal.
Utah: “House committee hears suggestions to change campaign finance law” by Billy Hesterman in the Daily Herald.
Vermont: “Vermont Senate to vote whether to ratify agreement on campaign finance bill” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Wisconsin: “Dark money: How Wisconsin’s most politically influential organizations avoid disclosing their donors” by Jack Craver in The Capital Times.
Ethics
Arizona: “State legislator floats ban on free tickets” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Sun.
Missouri: “Missouri secretary of state unveils proposal on campaign finance, ethics” by Jordan Shapiro (Associated Press) in The Republic.
Missouri: “Ethics in politics? Missouri legislators will try, again, to tighten laws” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
South Carolina: “Don’t pay ethics fine, don’t get on the ballot?” by Andrew Shain in The State.
From the State Legislatures
Colorado: “Colorado lawmakers mourn death of ʹ101st lawmakerʹ Clarence Miller” by Lynn Bartels in the Denver Post.
Delaware: “Legislators return to Dover with full slate” by Jonathan Starkey and Jon Offredo in The News Journal.
Hawaii: “Legislature honors its past” by Sarah Zoellick in the Honolulu Star Advertiser.
Missouri: “Missouri House Democrats pick new leaders” by The Associated Press in The News Tribune.
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma lawmaker’s plan would effectively eliminate the state House” by Graham Lee Brewer in The Oklahoman.
South Carolina: “SC speaker: Legislative session will go on despite ethics ʹsmear campaignʹ” by Jamie Self in The State.
Tennessee: “TN lawmakers begin session with tribute to Lois DeBerry” by Chas Sisk in The Tennessean.
Tennessee: “Tennessee Legislature opens with revenue worries” by Andy Sher in the Times Free Press.
West Virginia: “Lawmakers meet again after delay from chemical spill” by Dave Boucher in the Charleston Daily Mail.
Open Government
Mississippi: “Ethics chief Tom Hood wants more authority over public records law” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
January 14, 2014 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Bottom Line” in The Hill. “Lobbyists Ask, Then Write, ʹWhere The Jobs Areʹ” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call. “Gillespie Senate run tests stigma of ʹlobbyistʹ label” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill. Campaign Finance “Why Campaign Finance Laws […]
Lobbying
“Bottom Line” in The Hill.
“Lobbyists Ask, Then Write, ʹWhere The Jobs Areʹ” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Gillespie Senate run tests stigma of ʹlobbyistʹ label” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Campaign Finance
“Why Campaign Finance Laws Make Things Worse” opinion piece by Jonathan Bernstein in Bloomberg News.
Louisiana: “Democratic Super PAC Funnels More Funds Into Louisiana” by Emily Cahn in Roll Call.
Missouri: “Missouri Democrats to outline campaign finance plan” in the Kansas City Star.
Nevada: “Political groups in Nevada continue stubborn fight against disclosing donors” by Andrew Doughman in the Las Vegas Sun.
New Hampshire: “Campaign finance reformers march through N.H.” by John Toole in the Eagle-Tribune.
Ethics
Georgia: “Grand jury scheduled to meet in Georgia ethics case” by The Associated Press in the Athens Herald-Banner.
South Carolina: “State grand jury to investigate ethics allegations against SC House Speaker Bobby Harrell” by Jamie Self in The State.
From the State Legislatures
South Carolina: “Legislature kicks off with old issues on agenda” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) in GoUpstate.com.
South Carolina: “Dueling rallies to greet returning S.C. legislators” by Adam Beam in The State.
South Dakota: “5 things to know about SD 2014 legislative session” by The Associated Press in the Capital Journal.
Washington: “Washington Legislature Convenes With Election Year Issues On Agenda” by Austin Jenkins in Northwest Public Radio.
Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Legislature begins session Tuesday: 5 things to know” by The Associated Press in the Post Crescent.
Government Tech and Social Media
“How Government Leaders Can Stay Out of Social Media Hell” by Mark Schlossberg in Governing.
January 9, 2014 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Lobbying World” in The Hill. “K Street pushes to shape $1T omnibus spending legislation” by Bernie Becker and Kevin Bogardus in The Hill. “Chamber chief promises midterm blitz” by Ben Goad and Kevin Bogardus in The Hill. “GOP leadership […]
Lobbying
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
“K Street pushes to shape $1T omnibus spending legislation” by Bernie Becker and Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Chamber chief promises midterm blitz” by Ben Goad and Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“GOP leadership aide heads to K Street” by Peter Schroeder in The Hill.
“Yelp seeks DC clout after rapid rise” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.
Kauai County, Hawaii: “Lobbying bill gets green light” by Darin Moriki in The Garden Island.
Maryland: “Report: Top Md. Lobbyists Bring In More Than $37M” by The Associated Press in CBS Baltimore News.
Campaign Finance
Colorado: “Colorado GOP wants to skirt campaign contribution limits” by Reid Wilson in The Washington Post.
Missouri: “Court To Hear Challenge To Campaign Finance Limits” by Rachel Lippmann in St. Louis Public Radio.
Vermont: “Vt. lawmakers reach deal on campaign finance reform” on WCAX News.
Ethics
Arkansas: “Plenty of unknowns in how to impeach Ark. lt. gov.” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) in the San Jose Mercury News.
California: “FPPC heads to court over money laundering allegations against Roger Hernandez” by Rebecca Kimitch in the Daily Bulletin.
Florida: “Palm Beach County Ethics Commission slowdown raises questions” by Andy Reid in the Sun Sentinel.
New York: “Ethics reformers call on Cuomo to use ʹmaximum leverageʹ” by Jessica Alaimo in Capital New York.
Virginia: “Virginia Governor Apologizes for Scandal During His Final State of the State” by Olympia Meola in Governing.
From the State Legislatures
Iowa: “Governor, lawmakers set modest goals for 2014” by Catherine Lucey in the Quad-City Times.
Maine: “ʹLow expectationsʹ for legislative session as election-year politics loom” by Christopher Cousins in the Bangor Daily News.
Missouri: “5 things to know about Missouri’s legislative session” by Chris Blank (Associated Press) in the Missourian.
January 8, 2014 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “The State of K Street” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call. “Bitcoin Woos Washington to Ensure Lawmakers Don’t Kill It” by Julie Bykowicz and Carter Dougherty in Bloomberg Politics. New York City, NY: “New York City Imposes New Rules […]
Lobbying
“The State of K Street” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Bitcoin Woos Washington to Ensure Lawmakers Don’t Kill It” by Julie Bykowicz and Carter Dougherty in Bloomberg Politics.
New York City, NY: “New York City Imposes New Rules To Increase Registration of, and Reporting by, Lobbyists” by Laurence A. Levy in the National Law Review.
Campaign Finance
“Does Bitcoin Have a Future in Politics?” by Tom Moroney and Peter Robison in Bloomberg Businessweek.
“Facebook PAC Corrects Excessive Contributions to Senators” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.
Arkansas: “Darr says he won’t resign; legislative leaders say impeachment likely” in Arkansas News.
California: “Current, former lawmakers cited for alleged campaign violations” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.
Minnesota: “More errors turn up in Minnesota political campaign finance data” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger and Glenn Howatt in the Star Tribune.
Minnesota: “Minn. campaign board finalizes Senate DFL case” by Brian Bakst (Associated Press) in The Kansas City Star.
Utah: “Flagged Bill: HB 235 – Campaign Contributions Amendments, Rep. Powell” by Curtis Haring in Utah Political Watch.
Vermont: “State Revising, Raising Campaign Finance Limits” by Taylor Dobbs in Vermont Public Radio.
Vermont: “VPIRG: Higher contribution limits weaken campaign finance bill” by Anne Galloway in VTDigger.org.
Ethics
Knoxville County, TN: “Ethics Committee chairwoman looking to expand role of panel” by Gerald Witt in the Knoxville News.
State Legislatures
Mississippi: “Lawmakers back in session” by Emily Wagster Pettus (Associated Press) in the Clarion Ledger.
Missouri: “Missouri Legislature to convene amid election-year pressures” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
New Hampshire: “N.H. Legislature to convene 2014 session today” by Norma Love (Associated Press) in the Concord Monitor.
Vermont: “Vermont Legislature jumps right in to start session” by Terri Hallenbeck and Nancy Remsen in the Burlington Free Press.
Virginia: “General Assembly returns to divided government” by Jim Nolan in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Redistricting
Montana: “New battle lines drawn for legislative races” by Tom Lutey in the Billings Gazette.
Government Tech and Social Media
Alaska: “Juneau developing social media policy” by The Associated Press in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
Massachusetts: “Mass. big data centralized on a new website” by Callum Borchers in The Boston Globe.
January 6, 2014 •
Legislation We Are Tracking
At any given time, more than 1,000 legislative bills, which can affect how you do business as a government affairs professional, are being discussed in federal, state, and local jurisdictions. These bills are summarized in State and Federal Communications’ digital […]
At any given time, more than 1,000 legislative bills, which can affect how you do business as a government affairs professional, are being discussed in federal, state, and local jurisdictions. These bills are summarized in State and Federal Communications’ digital encyclopedias for lobbying laws, political contributions, and procurement lobbying and can be found in the client portion of our website.
Summaries of major bills are also included in monthly email updates sent to all clients. The chart below shows the number of bills we are tracking in regard to lobbying laws, political contributions, and procurement lobbying.
January 6, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Lobbyists cash in on do-nothing Congress” by Anna Palmer and Byron Tau in Politico. “9 websites you use regularly that are lobbying Congress” by Amber Phillips in the San Jose Mercury News. “Yelp Inc. Registers For Lobbying and Forms […]
Lobbying
“Lobbyists cash in on do-nothing Congress” by Anna Palmer and Byron Tau in Politico.
“9 websites you use regularly that are lobbying Congress” by Amber Phillips in the San Jose Mercury News.
“Yelp Inc. Registers For Lobbying and Forms PAC” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.
Idaho: “Business lobbyists ready legislative wish lists” by Zach Kyle in the Idaho Statesman.
Washington: “Lobbyist freebies on legislative agenda” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.
Campaign Finance
“Congressman Accepts Bitcoins While FEC Doesnʹt” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.
“New Super PAC Registers With Bitcoin Receiving Addresses” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.
Arkansas: “Ethics chief says Darr skipped campaign finance training” by John Lyon in KATV News.
Ethics
Missouri: “Missouri’s no-limit legislature stokes debate over ethics reform” by Jason Hancock in the Kansas City Star.
North Carolina: “Ethics Commission appointments made” by Craig Jarvis in the News & Observer.
Wyoming: “Conservative Wyoming group battles Federal Election Commission over election law” by Kyle Roerink in the Casper Star-Tribune.
Congress
“3 Reasons Congressʹ Year Might Start Unexpectedly Strong” by David Hawkings in Roll Call.
In the State Legislatures
“Nearly 2,400 state lawmakers return to work this week” by Niraj Cokshi in The Washington Post.
“Interactive: State of the States 2014” by Melissa Maynard in Governing.
“Governors, Lawmakers Return to Capitols With an Eye on November” by Daniel C. Vock in Governing.
Indiana: “State lawmakers face packed agenda” by Dan Carden in Northwest Indiana Times.
Iowa: “Iowa Legislature’s 2014 session to be shaped by epic political year” by Jason Noble and William Petroski in the Des Moines Register.
Kentucky: “Kentucky legislative session comes with political, fiscal shackles” by Tom Loftus in the Courier Journal.
Maryland: “Md. legislative session overshadowed by election year politics” by John Wagner in The Washington Post.
Mississippi: “What do lawmakers see as top issues for 2014 session?” by Ed Kemp in the Hattiesburg American.
Mississipi: “Analysis: US Senate race will impact Miss. Session” by Emily Wagster Pettus (Associated Press) in the Hattiesburg American.
Missouri: “Mid-Missouri legislators preparing for new session” by Bob Watson in the News Tribune.
North Carolina: “Lawmakers ponder how to fill midterm N.C., U.S. legislative openings” by Gary D. Robertson in the Charlotte Observer.
Rhode Island: “R.I. General Assembly: A look ahead at the key issues of 2014” by Katherine Gregg, Philip Marcelo, and Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.
South Carolina: “SC politicsʹ welcome back starts this week” by Andrew Shain in The State.
Government Tech and Social Media
Rhode Island: “Political Scene: High tech comes to R.I. General Assembly” by Philip Marcelo, Katherine Gregg and Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.
Washington: “Access Washington Website Dealing With Outages” in Government Technology.
December 20, 2013 •
Yukon Assembly Adjourns
The 2013 fall sitting of the first session of the 33rd Yukon Legislative Assembly adjourned on December 19, 2013. During this sitting the Assembly passed the Health Information Privacy and Management Act. The act “will raise the bar on privacy […]
The 2013 fall sitting of the first session of the 33rd Yukon Legislative Assembly adjourned on December 19, 2013.
During this sitting the Assembly passed the Health Information Privacy and Management Act. The act “will raise the bar on privacy and security of personal health information,” Minister of Health and Social Services Doug Graham said in a press release.
The fall sitting commenced on October 31, 2013.
December 17, 2013 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Lobbyists: ‘Misunderstood’ in poll” by Tal Kopan in Politico. Campaign Finance “There’s No Way to Follow the Money” by Lee Aitken in The Atlantic. Arizona: “For all the campaign finance limit marbles” by The Yellow Sheet Report in the […]
Lobbying
“Lobbyists: ‘Misunderstood’ in poll” by Tal Kopan in Politico.
Campaign Finance
“There’s No Way to Follow the Money” by Lee Aitken in The Atlantic.
Arizona: “For all the campaign finance limit marbles” by The Yellow Sheet Report in the Arizona Capitol Times.
Minnesota: “Minn. campaign money regulator promises to fix problems leading to faulty finance data” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Ethics
“Report: Chinese hackers attacked crucial government election website” on CNN Politics.
“Ethics Committee Will Investigate Trey Radel” by Emma Dumain in Roll Call.
Florida: “Ethics commission offers advice on use of office” by Bill Cotterell in The Florida Current.
Legislative Issues
“Lackluster Final Score for Congress This Year: 8 to 22” by David Hawkings in Roll Call.
“Angry About Partisan Gridlock in Washington? Blame the States.” By Donald F. Kettl in Governing.
Louisiana: “Lawsuit challenging Louisiana’s congressional districts withdrawn” by The Associated Press in The Times-Picayune.
New Jersey: “State legislative panels scramble to advance hundreds of bills” by Michael Phillis and Leslie Brody in the Bergen Record.
December 10, 2013 •
Missouri Special Session Adjourns Sine Die
On December 6, the Missouri General Assembly adjourned its first special session sine die. The legislative body convened earlier in the week to prepare an aerospace industry incentive bill. Effective immediately, Senate Bill 1 is designed to encourage growth and […]
On December 6, the Missouri General Assembly adjourned its first special session sine die.
The legislative body convened earlier in the week to prepare an aerospace industry incentive bill.
Effective immediately, Senate Bill 1 is designed to encourage growth and expansion of the aerospace industry and serves as an incentive proposal for Boeing to build its new commercial 777X airplane within the state.
Photo of the Missouri State Capitol courtesy of RebelAt on Wikimedia Commons.
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